# data[].attributes.body
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by an infection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium.

# data[].attributes.body
Neisseria gonorrhoeae infects the mucous membranes of the reproductive tract in both men and women. This includes the cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes of women, and the urethra of both men and women.

# data[].attributes.body
While this infection affects the same areas of men and women, it can also lead to different symptoms. Men can experience kidney infections, inflammation of the penile, and swollen testicles.

# data[].attributes.body
Gonorrhea can also infect the mucous membranes of the eyes, mouth, throat, and rectum.

# data[].attributes.body
The CDC estimates that around 1.6 million infections occurred in 2018 just in the United States alone. More than half of these cases occurred in people ages fifteen to twenty-four.

# data[].attributes.body
Gonorrhea is the second highest reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection just in the U.S. This is not including the cases not reported due to the infections being asymptomatic.

# data[].attributes.body
A gonococcal infection left untreated in pregnancy can lead to premature birth, low birth weight, miscarriages, chorioamnionitis, and premature rupture of membranes. If a newborn were to pass through the birth canal of an infected area, eye infections could develop in the infant.

# data[].attributes.body
For women, if a gonococcal infection is left untreated, long term effects could include ectopic pregnancies, infertility, development of scar tissue in the fallopian tubes, and long-term pain of the abdomen and pelvic area.

# data[].attributes.body
For men, an infection left untreated could easily lead to sterilization. If left untreated for too long, the infection could spread to the blood or joints. This is a rare occurrence, but still a possibility.

# data[].attributes.body
Gonorrhea can be cured with prescribed medication, but damage caused by the disease cannot be undone. While medication can stop the infection, there are strains that have developed that are drug-resistant. If symptoms continue within a few days after beginning treatment, patients should return to their doctor for further examination.

# data[].attributes.body
cdc.gov